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The number three and four teams in the Hustle Belt power rankings go head to head in Athens, Ohio on Saturday. Each team is flying pretty high at the moment, both registering wins last weekend. Western Michigan beat rival Central Michigan for the second year in a row and Ohio handled the Miami RedHawks easily to move to 5-1. The Bobcats are a bit of a surprise team in the MAC East, and are already looking at becoming bowl eligible before November.
The Broncos, however, have had less to cheer about until last weekend and hope to continue the momentum and become the team many thought they should be. History is on the side of the brown and gold in this series as the Broncos have won four of the last five meetings between the two schools and holds a slight 31-28-1 edge over the Bobcats.
You can check out our "talkin sMACk" preview here.
Quick Game Info
Game Time, Date: 12:00 p.m. ET, October 17th, 2015
TV & Streaming: American Sports Network and ESPN3
Radio: In Michigan: 96.5 FM (Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan), 94.1 FM (Lansing, Jackson, Battle Creek), 101.3 FM (Grand Rapids), 1130 AM (Detroit); In Ohio: Ohio IMG Sports Radio Network: 105.5 FM (Athens), 1230 AM (Columbus)
Odds: Ohio (-3.5) Western Michigan
Players to Watch:
Asantay Brown (Safety, WMU) : Asantay Brown had a bit of a coming out party on Saturday against CMU, which is about all of the good that can be said about the Bronco defense last Saturday. Brown had a fumble recovery and a key interception that gave the Broncos the deciding advantage in the turnover department.
Quentin Poling (Linebacker, Ohio) : Poling is a three time MAC East defensive player of the week this season, including last week against Miami where he recorded an interception for a touchdown. The Bobcats haven't surrendered a touchdown in back to back games, and Poling plays a huge part in keeping the opposition off the board.
Daniel Braverman (Wide Receiver, WMU) : The redshirt junior from Miramar, Florida is on pace for a career year. He leads the team in touchdowns with seven and trails only UMass's Tajae Sharpe for the national lead in receptions with 56. Braverman is coming off of one of his best games as a Bronco with three touchdowns on just six catches for 137 yards, aiding the Broncos to victory over Central Michigan
Daz'mond Patterson (Running Back, Ohio) : Patterson is actually Ohio's leading rusher with only 285 yards, but Patterson has found the end zone on five occasions through six game. With just 60 total carries, Patterson is scoring on every 12 attempts, and that sort of explosiveness could go a long way towards beating the Broncos.